Strong enough to protect her. Bold enough to love her. When good girl Margo Connelly becomes Lamar "Striker" Jennings's latest assignment, she knows she's in trouble. And not just because he's been hired to protect her from an underworld criminal. The reformed bad boy's appeal is breaching all her defenses, and as the threats against her increase, Margo isn't sure which is more dangerous: the gangster targeting her, or the far too alluring protector tempting her to let loose. Though Striker's now living on the right side of the law, he's convinced his troubled past keeps Margo out of his league. But physical chemistry explodes into full-blown passion when they go on the run together. Surrendering to desire could be a deadly distraction—or finally prove that he's the only man qualified to keep her safe, and win her love.

Brenda Jackson is back with a new series featuring the sexy and sinful protectors. For those of us who have read the Granger series and are familiar with Sheppard’s story, we will recognize these protectors who grace the pages of Jackson’s latest novel.

In this first book, we get to know Striker Jennings. He agrees to protect Margo Connelly, a person very important to his boss Roland. Margo served as a juror on a high-profile case for six weeks.When the defendant became incensed at the ruling, he promised revenge on everyone in the courtroom. While Margo is concerned, she isn’t really terrified until he makes good on his promise and members of the jury, press, and prosecution turns up dead. Margo must be protected and that is how Striker enters the picture.

What is supposed to be just another job slowly turns into more for both characters. No one is more surprised than Striker who has long vowed not to get into any serious entanglement because of his fear of not being able to protect the person he loves. He believes he failed before, and he’s determined not to fail again. What Striker comes to realize is that true love doesn’t care about past feelings.

Margo and Striker soon find that they are both in over their heads. Striker makes Margo feel things as she never had before. Striker knows that he can’t have his cake and eat it too but he can’t seem to keep his mind and hands off of Margo.

The stakes are raised as the body count is higher and soon Margo finds herself the next prime target. A chain of events brings the danger a little closer than Striker would like and he’s faced with the possibility that he failed another person he loved.

Forged in Desire lived true to its name as desire is what brought these two together. We’re reminded of their constant need for one another. While it was evident to both of them and Striker’s friends, I needed a bit more convincing at times. There was more telling than showing, and it left me a longing for a bit more between these two. Luckily, the first two chapters had just enough intrigue that kept me entertained even when it fizzled out towards the end of the book. You all know that I love romantic suspense, and with so much suspense surrounding this case and the attempt on Margo’s life, I had hoped that there would be a little bit more at the end. The case and their relationship were tied up neatly with a little bow. I like a bit of conflict between my two main characters and these two really didn’t have any. The case doesn’t count because that was the main plot point for the book and what brought them together.

While I had hoped for a bit more for the start of the Protector series, I received just enough that will keep me reading. Forged in Desire had a promising storyline and was a good set up for what is to the follow for the remainder of the series. Fans of Brenda Jackson’s previous series will appreciate the start to this new one.

About Brenda Jackson

Brenda Jackson, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of over 100 novels and novellas, was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University. She married her high school sweetheart, Gerald, and they have two sons, Gerald Jr. and Brandon, ages thirty-six and thirty-four, respectively. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her professional writing career began in 1995 with the release of her first book, Tonight and Forever. Since then she has written over 100 titles, which includes a made-for-television movie by BET, One Special Moment as well as the movie, Truly Everlasting. She was a 2012 NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Literary Fiction for her book, A Silken Thread; and was named Romance Writers of America’s Nora Robert’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for 2012.

Natalya is an Account Manager by day and writer by night. When she is not adding to her enormous book collection or stationery supply, she is somehow keeping track of 55 television shows. You can follow her rantings and occasional sparks of brilliance on Twitter @NatalyaMuncuff.